Do Old and Antique Newspapers Have Any Collectible Value?

October 25, 2013 by  
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It is not often I travel to Yahoo for answers to some of the more meaningful questions of life: Where did we come from? What is the purpose of Life? Do old newspapers have value? However, I recently came upon a post on Yahoo Voices which did a decent job of handling this last question.  It begins:

You’ve Happened Upon a Stack of Old Newspapers…Some Have Historic Headlines! Are They Worth Anything?

Let face it, old newspapers don’t get much respect. In today’s world, they’re generally seen as material for the recycler. And years ago, many libraries simply tossed them out after converting them to micro or digital files. But do old or antique newspapers have any collectible value? The answer is a definite…maybe!

Newspapers have been around almost as long as the Gutenberg Press. And in general they’ve been seen as expendable–meant to be read a time or two and then thrown away, or used for fish wrap or some other convenient purpose. But newspapers also have tremendous historic value… (read more)

 (Unfortunately, the Yahoo article has since expired. If anyone has discovered great articles regarding the value of newspapers, please let us know and we’ll consider adding it. In the meantime, feel free to use the www.RareNewspapers.com website for comparables.)

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Comments

808 Responses to “Do Old and Antique Newspapers Have Any Collectible Value?”

  1. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:21 pm

    Hello Christie – Your best bet is to send the newspaper title and date (perhaps even a pic or two if you can) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. Good luck.

  2. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:25 pm

    Hello Bill – I just checked our database, and this date is not a key collectible date. What you have appears to be a “birthday” paper (from the day the original recipient was born).

  3. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:28 pm

    Is the 15 August 1947 issue printed in English? A New York Times can go for as much as $110. You would think a paper from India would go for more than this, but it doesn’t always work that way. You need a buyer he wants it.

  4. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:29 pm

    I saw your date correction and responded through your follow-up note.

  5. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:29 pm

    Right now they are simply too common. Sorry.

  6. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:30 pm

    We are not aware that it has value, but without having it in hand it is impossible to tell. feel free to send the date, title, and a brief description to timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  7. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:32 pm

    Without having it in hand it is impossible to know for sure. Feel free to send the title, date, and a brief description to timothy@rarenewspapers.com.

  8. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:41 pm

    Sorry, but we only have knowledge of the actual newspapers themselves. Good luck with this.

  9. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:44 pm

    Feel free to send detail (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  10. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:46 pm

    Feel free to send details (titles, dates, descriptions of the issues – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  11. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:49 pm

    Feel free to send details (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  12. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:54 pm

    Hello Edmund – Only the absolute key events have value: D-Day, VE-Day, VJ-Day, Pearl Harbor, Hitler death, Atomic bomb, etc.

  13. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:57 pm

    Typically not – unless it is from Dallas. Then it could have value up to about $40-$60 (if in excellent condition).

  14. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 3:00 pm

    Can you confirm the date?

  15. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 3:03 pm

    Feel free to send details (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  16. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 3:04 pm

    It sounds like a Day You Were Born newspaper – value only as a gift.

  17. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 3:04 pm

    Feel free to send details (title, date, description of the issue – perhaps even a pic or two) to timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  18. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 3:05 pm

    Hello Robin – Sorry it took so long to get back to you. We have never sold these, but I can’t imagine they have value to collectors.

  19. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 3:05 pm

    Unless it is from Dallas, typically no.

  20. Edwin Jones on January 12th, 2016 9:58 am

    Hello, I have The Washington Post Friday, July 25, 1924 Newspaper pages 1-8. Condition is fair, dusty; however, all articles are legible. I also have The following collection of Marshall’s Illustrated Almanac ( Pocket Compendiums ) – volumes 1899, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1914. I also have the Souvenir Inauguration Washington DC March 4, 1933 Franklin D Roosevelt Medallion. I desire to sell all of these items. Thank you. ps. phone (443) 698-2243

  21. GuyHeilenman on January 12th, 2016 11:37 am

    Hello Edwin – Please forward your note to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. Thanks.

  22. Tony Jenkins on January 12th, 2016 8:56 pm

    OK hello I have a Norfolk ledger- dispatch dated Tuesday afternoon July 31 st 1945 18. Pages five cents says planes destroy 207 maps vessels good condition so it’s worth less .

  23. GuyHeilenman on January 13th, 2016 6:49 am

    Hello Tony- It is impossible to know for sure without seeing it, but based upon our 40-year record of collectible event-reporting, this does not appear to have collector value. Sorry.

  24. Shelley on January 14th, 2016 4:06 pm

    I have a complete Vol. 1, No 1 “The Atlanta Times” news paper dated June 12, 1965 and wondered if it has any value. Price.05. The Header says “HELLO WE’RE HERE”. It’s pretty cool but does it have any value in the day and age?

    Shelley

  25. GuyHeilenman on January 15th, 2016 6:53 am

    Hello Shelley – 20th century Vol. 1, # 1 issues do not typically have collector value. Perhaps, if you could find them, someone who was part of this first printing would be interested???

  26. Stuart on January 16th, 2016 3:25 pm

    I have a old newspaper dated 17. 04.1912
    Titanic

  27. Maureen Boyle on January 18th, 2016 3:05 pm

    Hello. I have a newspaper dated Dec. 7, 1941 The Jersey Journal. I would like to know the value of this paper. Is there a website I can go to?
    Thank you.

  28. john guettinger on January 18th, 2016 4:29 pm

    Hello,

    I have an August 15,1945 Philadelphia Inquirer (PEACE HEADLINE) newspaper. It is in good to very god condition. Any idea as to worth? Thank you.

  29. laura vargas on January 18th, 2016 9:42 pm

    Hello

    I have a question about an old newspaper to buy, it is the 1977, its sevent edición histórica headlines, campus frontera partes of the los Ángeles Time presidencial elecciones of the twentieth century of 1900 to 1976.
    Has a copy of the main en trance of each presidente.
    I donde if this has any value newspaper.

    Than you.,
    Laura v.

  30. GuyHeilenman on January 19th, 2016 8:39 am

    Hello Stuart – Please send details (Title, date, and condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  31. GuyHeilenman on January 19th, 2016 8:42 am

    Hello Maureen – Please send details (title, date, and condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com

  32. GuyHeilenman on January 19th, 2016 8:46 am

    Hello John – In very good condition these go for about $50 (or so) retail. If you go to the the following link, you will see three similar issues we currently have available – different titles, but similar: http://www.rarenewspapers.com/list?q%5Bdate_range_end%5D=2016-01-19&q%5Bdate_range_start%5D=1500-01-01&q%5Bquery%5D=8%2F15%2F1945&q%5Bsearch_method%5D=All+Words

  33. GuyHeilenman on January 19th, 2016 8:47 am

    Hello Laura – It is impossible to say for sure without having it in hand, but based upon our records, this does not have collector value.

  34. michael gifford on January 19th, 2016 10:56 am

    I found a metal box with about 30 newspapaer dating back to the early 60’s. I was wondering where I can go in the albany ny area to sell them?

  35. GuyHeilenman on January 19th, 2016 11:01 am

    Hello Mike – We have no idea, but feel free to send a list (titles, dates, and condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com.

  36. Stephanie granberry on January 19th, 2016 12:33 pm

    I have a large box of full newspapers, all with famous head lines. What do you need pictures of to help figure value. Thank you

  37. Toni Dudley on January 20th, 2016 12:30 am

    We have what is apparently the final edition of Current News – a precurser to Weekly Reader – published in 1928. Does this have any value?

  38. Paige on January 20th, 2016 3:13 am

    I have two complete newspapers from the Tulsa Tribune of the day Elvis died. One is in good condition, the other, not so much…..any approximate prices. Also have the paper of when John Wayne passed. Any information I’d appreciate!

  39. GuyHeilenman on January 20th, 2016 7:11 am

    Hello Stephanie – If you could start by grabbing a representative sample (perhaps 5-6 issues) and send details (newspaper title, date, condition, and a pic) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com, he will let you know what he thinks.

  40. GuyHeilenman on January 20th, 2016 7:20 am

    Hello Toni – This is not something we are familiar with – so unfortunately we have no idea. Sorry. I wish we could help.

  41. GuyHeilenman on January 20th, 2016 7:21 am

    Hello Paige – As of now (things could change over time), the only issues regarding Elvis’ death which have collector value are those from Memphis.

  42. Mindy Oberreuter on January 22nd, 2016 10:02 pm

    Hi I have Fort Wayne News (Indiana), Fort Wayne Journal, and Ashley-Hudson Times from 1895 through 1954. Pretty much every paper they printed (10 pallets worth). My father-in-law purchased from an old microfiche company that went out of business in the 90s. My husband and I are just now starting to go through them is there anything in particular we should look out for while documenting them?

  43. susan on January 24th, 2016 1:33 pm

    Hi! I have some original inmate newspapers from the Leavenworth Penitentiary (1920s) called the Leavenworth New Era. They were sent to my great-grandmother from my uncle whom was a soldier that was incarcerated there. I’m having a hard time finding any information or if there is any value to them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  44. tracey on January 24th, 2016 10:04 pm

    i cant remember the name of the newspaper itself but i have an old article and on the front page is a headline about marilyn monroe and some other stars on dating older men…do you think it would be worth anything? its in pretty good shape..besides the color is now i believe yellowish

  45. Rachel on January 25th, 2016 12:21 am

    I have a newspaper dated 1974. The front page is about President Nixon quitting and Gerald Ford succeeding him as the 30th president. Is it worth anything.

  46. GuyHeilenman on January 25th, 2016 7:05 am

    Hello Mindy – Are you looking to sell them? if not, what do you mean by “documenting” them? If you are making a record of what you have, people typically look for titles, dates, and a statement on condition. However, before you put too much effort into the project, 99% of the issues will not have value – key historical events being the exception. If you do want to (or are considering) selling them, you may want to contact Tim Hughes directly at timothy@rarenewspapers.com.

  47. GuyHeilenman on January 25th, 2016 7:06 am

    Hello Susan – Please contact Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com.

  48. GuyHeilenman on January 25th, 2016 7:09 am

    Hello Tracey – It is too hard to say without having it in hand, but typically the only newspapers that are collectible are those regarding her death. There are a few exceptions, but even in those cases we are talking about $50 or so if the content is special and the issue is complete and in good condition.

  49. GuyHeilenman on January 25th, 2016 7:10 am

    Hello Rachel – We retail these in great condition for about $25 – but they rarely sell. Too many people still have them.

  50. Pete on January 25th, 2016 1:48 pm

    Hi! I have just recently come across what seems to be the front page of the a 1939 Nottingham Evening Post …Dated Sunday 3rd September 1939 with the main headlines…
    “Britain At War With Germany..Costing one penny…

    I wondered if you could tell me if there is a well of authenticating it…

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